(Barbados Nation) Barbados is spending more than Bds$1/2 million to fix up Government House and meet expenses for an official state visit of the Earl and Countess of Wessex later this month.
The February 23 to 24 visit is part of the celebration of the Queen’s 50th year on the throne – her Diamond Jubilee – and to “play its part”, Barbados is spending a total of Bds$530 643, Parliament was told yesterday.
Prime Minister Freundel Stuart told the House of Assembly that Bds$254 445 was needed to pay for the activities being coordinated by the Cabinet Office, including two state functions, while Minister of Transport and Works John Boyce explained that the remaining Bds$276 198 was being spent on renovating and upgrading Government House to prepare for the Royal visit.
“Barbados is still a member of her realm and all of the members of Her Majesty’s realm have been called upon to appropriately commemorate Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee . . . so Barbados is playing its part in that regard,” he said.
